Formulation and Drug Delivery

At its annual business briefing held last week, Merck & Co. outlined its short- and long-term strategy for growth. Its strategy is focused on increased penetration in emerging markets, the establishment of a business for developing follow-on biologics or biosimilars, and a new commercial model for product life-cycle management.

Packaging a drug in a prefilled syringe may help extend a product's patent and distinguish it from competing products.

Also, NicOx and DSM make manufacture and supply pact for naproxcinod drug substance; NovaRx appointed Norrie Russell president and COO; more...

FDA's Final Rule titled "Amendments to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations for Finished Pharmaceuticals" takes effect Monday, Dec. 8, 2008.

Also, AstraZeneca announces changes to its supply chain operations; Christian Velmer appointed head of Wyeth Canada; More...

The European Commission (EC) published a preliminary report stating that competition in the pharmaceutical industry does not work as well as it should.

The authors evaluated the effect of polymer composition on the drug-release profile and the effect of storage conditions on dissolution characteristics.

The past year saw major acquisitions attempted, completed, rejected, and stalled.

Readers provide insight into the best companies to work for as well as the ups and downs of their jobs.

China's quality approach to domestic versus exported products seems to be a lose-lose situation.

A recent Pharmaceutical Technology survey examined the level, sources, and reasons behind innovation in drug development and manufacturing. This article contains bonus online-exclusive material.

The authors review the current regulatory framework for the selection of drug substance starting materials.

Results from Pharmaceutical Technology's Annual Employment Survey.

Pharmaceutical Technology is pleased to recognize the winners of its Innovations in Pharma Science Awards.

Microcrystalline cellulose is the main excipient used in the industrial manufacture of pellets by extrusion/spheronization, but pellets containing this spheronizing aid do not readily disintegrate and are expensive.

Research shows that both drug prescription and alcohol consumption increase within the elderly population. It is, therefore, necessary to fully understand the impact of alcohol consumption on solid oral dosage forms, especially extended release formulations.

Hundreds of pharma–biotech deals have been announced during 2008 and many of these probably began at biopartnering conferences. Susan Aldridge examines some of this year's big buyouts and mergers.

Although realized in 1983, ASTM's standrad test method for determining bacterial retention of membrane filters used for liquid filtration is still hugely beneficial to today's pharmaceutical industry.

Also, Johnson & Johnson will acquire Omrix Biopharmaceuticals for $438 million; Charles River Laboratories promoted Foster Jordan to corporate senior VP of endotoxin and microbial detection products; more...

Companies at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scieintists (AAPS) unveiled technologies, expansion plans, and services for formulation development, manufacturing, and drug delivery at the AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition held in Atlanta last week.

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) recognized researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences at AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta last week.

During its roundtable discussion titled "Follow-On Biologic (FOB) Drugs: Framework for Competition and Continued Innovation," The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) discussed likely effects, patent issues, and regulatory exclusivity periods concerning FOBs.

Also, BASi opens European office in Warwickshire, UK; Acusphere's Howard Bernstein Resigns; More...

Also, Patheon opens new European headquarters, Cynvec appoints Frank D. Stonebanks president and CEO, more...

Also, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH to acquire Wave Biotech; AstraZeneca's John Patterson to retire; more...